TorSun staffers

The mass e-mail Rob Granatstein sent to editorial employees at the Toronto Sun this week included the names of men and women still on the job in editorial at 333.

TSF has mentioned some of the names of current staffers and the names of a lot of former staffers, but let's salute all of the editorial workers putting out the Sun daily.

There are a few bodies on Rob's e-mail list we thought were long gone. Glad to see they are still on the job. The list might not be complete, but here goes, in no particular order:

Al Maffei; Alex Urosevic; Andrew Mair; Andy Donato; Anne Bacani; Antonella Artuso; Bill Lankhof; Bill Murray; Bill Pierce; Bob Elliott; Brian Gray; Bruce Kirkland; Chris Doucette; Christina Blizzard; Craig Robertson; Cynthia McLeod; Dave Ellis; Dave Fuller; Dave Thomas;

Dean McNulty; Don MacPhail; Donald Duench; Ernest Doroszuk; Frank Zicarelli; Gary Loewen; Greg Henkenhaf; Harry Langford; Ian Robertson; Jack Boland; Jane Stevenson; Jim Baine; Jim Slotek; Jim Thomson; Jim Wilson; Joe Warmington; John Coulbourn;

John Fitz-Gerald; John Kryk; Jonathan Jenkins; Jonathan Kingstone; Julie Kirsh; Ken Fidlin; Ken Winlaw; Kevin Hann; Lance Hornby; Liz Braun; Lorrie Goldstein; Marilynn Figueroa; Mark Bonokoski; Mark Oneill; Michael Peake; Michele Mandel; Mike Ganter; Mike Strobel;

Mike Zeisberger; Pam Davies; Pat Job; Rita DeMontis; Rob Granatstein; Rob Lamberti; Rob Longley; Robin Robinson; Sam Pazzano; Steve Buffery; Steve Simmons; Sue-Ann Levy; Sue Dewar; Terry England; Terry Koshan; Tim Peckham; Tom Godfrey; Veronica Henri;

Wayne Janes; Bill Harris; Brett Clarkson; Tamara Cherry; Don Peat; Bryn Weese; Zenon Ruryk; Rolf Rimstad; Mike Rutsey; Joel Colomby; Irene Thomaidis; Jack Romanelli; James Wallace; Dan Bilicki; Paul Ferguson; Dave Hilson; Richard Mauntah; Ryan Wolstat; Alan Marshall;

Jon Mccarthy; Dave Abel; Stan Behal; Jenny Yuen; Sharon Lem; Kevin Connor; Jolene Gallant; Kurt Larson; Emily Barker; Davina Biln; Adam Bishop; Susan Dugas; Clarisa Feliprada; Jillian Goddard; Julie Hornby; Danielle L'Ami; Selena Ladd; Kevin Naulls; Sarah Reeves;

Augusta Shaw; Glenna Tapscott, Joyce Wagler, Katherine Webb-Nelson; Holly Wiseman.

Contributors, one and all.

For corrections and updates, please e-mail TSF.

Peter W interview

The Canoe Dossier's David Newland sat down with Peter Worthington, the Toronto Sun's founding editor, this week for a chat about Conservatism - with a few surprising results.

Newland writes: "Did you know, for example, that Worthington is basically pro-choice? Or that he's for gay rights? Did you know that he's a fan of Michael Ignatieff - the leader of the Liberal party of Canada? I sure didn't . . ."

The Canoe Dossier posting includes a four-minute video of Peter W. talking with Newland at 333. The video leaves us wanting to hear more from the TorSun Day Oner, including stories from his long and distinguished career in journalism.

It is time for another book or a video bio on the life and times of Peter Worthington to update his 1984 book, Looking for Trouble. Or a P.W. blog, perhaps? John Downing, also a Day Oner and former editor, is getting good mileage out of his Downing's Views blog.

Next Tuesday, Peter's thoughts will no doubt go back to Nov. 24, 1963, when Jack Ruby gunned down Lee Harvey Oswald only feet from where the Telegram reporter was standing.

Just one of the many print media experiences he has logged in his six decades as an award winning newsman.

Behal honours

What an honour it was for veteran Toronto Sun photographer Stan Behal to have a photo chosen for the book 100 Photos that Changed Canada.

It was his 1988 photograph of sprinter and soon-to-be-disgraced Ben Johnson crossing the finish line at the 1988 Olympics in Seoul. It can be viewed here.

Stan, an NNA winner still on the job, showed up for the Toronto book launching this week, a copy of Mark Reid's hardcover book in hand.

After giving Stan a silent thumbs up for well deserved recognition, we began searching for the names of all the photographers who took those 100 photos that changed Canada.

We are still searching online for the complete list, so we have to agree with some critics who say for a book celebrating photos, the photographers who took them are downplayed.

TSF will post all 100 names and their print media publications and news agencies if someone can provide the complete list.

If you are going to take the time to celebrate Canadian photographs, provide a pedestal for all of the men and women behind the lenses - in the book and during pre-release publicity.

Lamothe's new book

The Winnipeg Free Press has given Lee Lamothe's latest book - The Finger's Twist - a rave review, calling the "breakout mystery novel" the best Canadian release this year.

Lamothe, a former veteran Toronto Sun cop desk staffer, has written 10 crime-themed books since 1995.

John Sullivan, a Free Press book reviewer, writes:

"Genre-busting in the extreme, The Finger's Twist is a love story, a character study, a wheel-within-wheels whodunit, a social commentary, a political treatise (though nowhere a drum-beating polemic) and a police procedural (the title refers to a signature bomb-making technique that’s key to the resolution).

"But, beyond that, it’s bang-up storytelling, a compulsive, read-it-over-dinner, take-it-to-the bathroom cure for what ails ya. No higher praise possible, except maybe this: Once finished, you may be tempted to read it again. Indulge."

Congrats, Lee.

The 256-page paperback whodunit is available at Amazon.ca.

333 sale changes

The sale price and identity of the new owners of the Toronto Sun building have not been released, but employees learned yesterday how "massive changes" will affect their working lives.

Rob Granatstein, editorial page editor, sent a mass e-mail to editorial employees updating last week's announcement by publisher Mike Power that 333 King Street East has been sold.

In a nutshell, the newsroom will be moved to tighter quarters on the second floor, where it will share space with executive, accounting and advertising; Red's cafeteria, named for Doug Creighton, will be closed; free parking for employees will be drastically reduced.

Rob's e-mail reads:

"Staff,

It’s come to my attention that many people aren’t aware of the announcement made last week by Sun Publisher Mike Power that our building has been sold.

Here’s the grossly abbreviated summary.

* The Sun has sold the building.

* The buyer’s name has not been released yet as there are still conditions attached to the sale of the deal.

* The Toronto Sun is not moving. We’ve signed a 10-year lease to stay in the building.

* There will be massive changes now that we’re becoming a tenant.

* First, all Sun operations – executive, accounting, advertising - will join us on the second floor.

* The newsroom will be moving. The exact location isn’t clear, but we expect to move to the north side of the building.

* The newsroom will be the first to move. A new digital newsroom, likely costing well into the millions of dollars, will be built for us, including new furniture. Say goodbye to the ’80s-era desk you have now.

* The physical space of the newsroom will be far smaller than the footprint we have in the building now.

* The newsroom’s move will be done by the end of March, according to the schedule we have now.

* As a tenant we won’t have the same access to parking. We will have some spots, but not all the spots.

* The cafeteria will be closed.

* The presses will be removed.

* The library is staying where it is.

* Retail shops will likely move into the main floor on King St.

* Commercial offices will move into the building, too.

* Expect the building to become a huge construction site as the new owners change 333 King from a one tenant newspaper building into a building for many other uses.

* A sale price for the building has not been released.

If you have any other questions, feel free to ask me, James Wallace, or ask Mike Power directly. He stated he can’t answer all the questions will (sic) the sale of the building is not yet final, but will answer what he can.

Rob."

We never thought the day would come when the Toronto Sun would be a tenant at 333, downsized from six full floors to one floor, with no presses, no cafeteria and minimal parking.

Employees who lose their cherished free parking spots inside and around 333 will be looking at costly daily parking fees if they decide to continue driving to work. What is the going daily rate for downtown T.O. parking these days?

Outside meals will also add to the cost of working for the Sun.

Will the added costs be a union issue when the next contract rolls around?

As a tenant, the Toronto Sun has a 10-year lease, which is mighty optimistic considering 10 years of Quebecor ownership has reduced the once thriving tabloid to a storefront operation.

Most disheartening is the sale of 333 is not out of necessity due to tough economic times. This is minimalist, cash cow greed on the backs of employees.

PKP might be a hero to shareholders, but he has never looked so small in the eyes of his employees.

Toronto Sun employees will no doubt carry on doing the best they can with what they have left because they are pros.

TTC suicide

Rob Lamberti's front page story the other day about a TTC subway driver "reliving the nightmare" of a suicide received the tabloid play it deserved.

Can't say we have ever read such a haunting story - a TTC driver replaying a traumatic suicide by subway train and the emotional aftermath for everyone involved.

The Page 3 story was in Thursday's paper and five days later the imagery of that deadly moment in time lingers. Kevin Pett, the driver, and the victim, eye-to-eye beyond the point of no return.

The victim was a school teacher in the news for two days, but details of most subway suicides are rarely published, except to explain delays in service.

Lamberti's story put readers at the controls of the subway train as it entered the High Park station and humanized Pett's nightmarish experience and the toll it has taken on him and his family.

Credit is due to Pett, his wife and the TTC for allowing the story to be told.

It is a Sun story by a Sun vet we won't soon forget.

Intell hiring

The rare hiring of reporters at Sun Media newspapers these days calls for red carpet treatment and so it is at the Belleville Intelligencer.

The paper's website has a story by Chris Malette, city editor, and a photo of the new staffer to go with it, welcoming Jason Miller, a Durham College grad formerly of the Toronto Sun and Toronto Star.

Malette says the native of Jamaica developed his skills by freelancing for Metroland papers in Oshawa, Clarington and Whitby while in college. He has also done freelance coverage for the Calgary Sun.

All the best, Jason. You are working with print newspaper vets who speak their mind and still give a damn.

Sunday notes

A few Sunday Sun notes:

The Page 2 news slot in Sunday's paper was used for a Holiday Gift Grab promotion. Another indication editors at 333 have lost the news edge and the bean counters are in control.

Noticed Greg Oliver, a former Sun staffer, has a new book on the shelves. Published by ECW Press, SLAM! Wrestling: Shocking Stories from the Squared Circle is a collection of stories from the website, including Sun stories from Edmonton, Calgary, Winnipeg, Ottawa and Toronto.

The first Toronto Sun mention of Pat Surphlis since the 25-year promotions vet was turfed recently, was found Sunday in a column by Steve Simmons. He writes: Life at the Toronto Sun just isn't the same without Sheila Chidley, Pat Surphlis and Trudy Eagan, three of the great newspaper women of all time.

Kudos to columnist Mike Strobel for honouring the late George Gross by spearheading his Variety Village Christmas Fund for a second consecutive year. Mike's first effort raised more than $30,000 for the Baron's favourite cause. Sun colleagues are supportive. One newsroom staffer chipped in $1,000 won in a watermelon eating contest.

That Othello

A TSF reader recently took a jab at a newsman saying: "Ya, but he doesn't know the difference between WHO and THAT."

The offending sentence in the critic's eye: "More importantly, whatever happened to the editor that would back him or her?"

We have noticed an increase in the use of "that" over "who" in print and broadcast media, but to question "that" is to question William Shakespeare, who, for Othello's swan song, wrote:

(To speak) "Of one that loved not wisely, but too well."

That was four centuries ago.

"Who" gets our vote, but if you go with the Bard, "that" is OK too.

Anonymous 2

The TSF reader who posted the original anonymous "reporter chained to his desk" comment that has generated a lot of feedback, has more to say about Bill Glisky's POVs.

From "the reporter chained to his desk like a dog in a cage . . ."

I fail to understand how Mr. Glisky or anyone else could assume that my distaste for the direction newspapers are heading is any indication of my attitude towards how I go about working a story. That is ludicrous.

I was pretty clear to point out my qualities of being a digger, hard worker, etc are not appreciated. I was also clear to point out that it's bad out there, really bad in some cases, many probably worse than mine. But I spoke out, albeit without attaching my name, but I said it and I stick by what I said.

It's funny, we're hired to ask questions and be critical of everyone but if we do it of ourselves it's blasphemy. As in, how dare a reporter question the state of his newspaper or those running it. Come on.

Moving on.

Even though I found Mr. Glisky's reply way out of bounds and illogical in the sense it missed the point I was trying to make, I still appreciate the passion for which he appears to go about being an editor. I'd take a nasty jerk for an editor with some balls over a dead body at a desk any day. We don't have that way out here. So. Go Bill Go.

However, to attack a reporter for expressing how they feel is proving my point all the more. It's the easy way out. Forget about looking at the issues at hand, let's hammer him with a bunch of nonsense and belittle him for things we assume are correct. That's a great way to go about things and says a lot about a person's intellect.

Our papers are run by editors who, for the very large part, have never been a reporter and would never know what it is like to work a story. Reporters aren't meant to always be at a desk or sifting though the Internet to find stories, they should be out and about digging, talking and meeting with people.

Technology has made the reporter nothing more than a gatherer, like a squirrel collecting nuts or pieces of discarded bread. That's a fact and can't be argued otherwise. If we can't agree with that, we're already dead.

It's a disease that not only hinders Sun Media but Canwest and others. So, say what you want about what I said, I wrote what I felt and I wrote it from the heart. Like, Mr. Glisky, I'll fight the bastards day in and day out.

I appreciate a good debate like anyone else and I'm glad what I wrote has sparked a lively one.

And as for you, Mr. Glisky, if I ever come to Belleville I'll look you up for a pint. I'm sure Belleville has a pub or two.

Long live the reporter.

Long live the newspaper.